Impact of Zinc Supplementation on Growth: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial Among Urban Iranian Schoolchildren

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Various pathways, such as personperson, fecal-oral, and oral-oral transmission, play a role in transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection. It can be transferred from mother to infant in either the perinatal or postnatal periods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the course of H pylori infection in motherinfant pairs in early years of life. METHODS: Forty-eight mother-child pairs were followed for 12 months. H pylori and hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G levels were measured in maternal sera, infant sera, and breast-milk samples at birth and in breast-milk samples and infant sera at follow-up visits. RESULTS: At birth, the seropositivity for H pylori was 81.25% and hepatitis A was 68.75% in breast milk and 95.8% in maternal and infant sera for both microorganisms. Although there was a decrease in seropositivities for both agents in both infant sera and breast milk at the age of 9 months, an increase was observed in the twelfth month. CONCLUSIONS: High seroprevalence rates of H pylori and hepatitis A virus and similar monthly changes in seroprevalence could be indicators of the same transmission routes. IMPACT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED TRIAL AMONG URBAN IRANIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN Submitted by Nahid MasoodpoorNahideh Masoodpoor, R. Darakshan Rafsanjan Medical Hospital, Rafsanjan, Iran INTRODUCTION:The first study that linked zinc and growth was carried out in Iran and Egypt almost 3 decades ago. At the time, the circumstances leading to growth impairment secondary to zinc deficiency were believed to be unique in less developed countries. Multiple studies have been carried out to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on children's growth. The results of these studies have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of zinc supplementation on growth (weight and height) among schoolchildren who were underweight or had stunted growth. METHODS: Our study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 90 Iranian urban schoolchildren (50 boys and 40 girls; 7-12 years old) who were underweight or stunted and were supplemented with 10 mg of zinc or placebo on school days for 6 months. Variables were weight and height.RESULTS: Significant effects on weight gain (2.037 Ϯ 1.240 vs 1.55 Ϯ 0.64 kg; P ϭ .0167) and height (2.030 Ϯ 1.003 vs 1.403 Ϯ 0.521 cm; P ϭ .0002) in the children after zinc supplementation versus placebo administration, respectively, were seen over the 6-month period. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, zinc supplementation improved growth in underweight or stunted children and should be considered for populations at risk for zinc deficiency, especially where there are elevated rates of underweight or stunting.

Recent Advances in Discovery and Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Secretory Diarrhea in the Developing World

“…Its use has resulted in significant reductions in diarrhea-related mortality with an estimated 50 million lives saved [8]. This has recently been complemented by zinc supplementation therapy, which has been shown to significantly reduce deaths when used as part of the ORT regimen [9]. Zinc considerably reduces the duration and severity of diarrhea episodes, decreases stool output, lessens the need for hospitalization, and may also prevent future diarrhea for up to 3 months [10].…”

“…In the phosphonic acid class (Fig. 8), the prototypical metalloprotease inhibitor is phosphoramidon (9). The inhibitor CGS-24592 (18) is a potent inhibitor of NEP and its diphenyl phosphonate prodrug (19) demonstrated high potency, long duration of action and oral bioavailability [39].…”